OT: Detroit City FC Speaker Panel at UM on March 12th
I know we have a large soccer fanbase here on the MGoBoard (including our supreme leader) so this one is for you all.
Detroit City Football Club is coming to the University of Michigan for a speaking panel entitled "Detroit City FC, The Rise of Detroit through Soccer". Some of the owners (including one who is a UM alum), the general manager, the founder of DCFC's supporter group the Northern Guard and a couple of currrent DCFC players who played previously at Michigan plan to sit on the panel. The discussion will center around the creation and rise of the Club from its start as a community based recreational soccer league between the neighborhoods of Detroit to selling out their home games and forcing the team to look for a larger stadium. The panel will also discuss DCFC's non-traditional marketing through social media and community outreach and the use of their supporter group. It should be an interesting night.
The panel will be held on Thursday March 12 at 6:30 pm in the Anderson Room of the Michigan Union. The event is being sponsored by the School of Kinesiology Alumni Society, Kinesiology Student Government, UM Sports Business Association and The Michigan Ultras. There is no cost to attend.
Hopefully we'll see some of you out there.F
EDIT: For those of you unfamiliar with DCFC, here's some links that tell their story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlSMLLlHcCw
https://www.youtube.com/user/DetroitCityFC
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20141207/NEWS/312079951/detroit-ci…
February 17th, 2015 at 6:07 PM ^
If I was still a student, I'd be there. It sounds pretty interesting, and I love the sport. I hope it takes off in Detroit.
February 17th, 2015 at 7:34 PM ^
It has taken off in Detroit; already there... sustainability is the next hurdle. One would argue MLS is the next obstacle to that but the overwhelming majority of fans (meaning Northern Guard, R&B, and Le Rouge) and the ownership of DCFC have been vocal they don't want MLS there.
February 17th, 2015 at 6:57 PM ^
I've been to a few DCFC games and they are an absolute blast. While the soccer isn't pretty at times, the environment really sold me. Their fan section is among the most energetic that I have sat in, and this includes Yost. Smoke bombs are constantly going off and the crowd is almost always singing. After every game, there is a bar (specific bars rotate) that the entire fan section flocks to, win or lose. Overall, would highly reccommend if you want to do something a little different.
February 17th, 2015 at 7:00 PM ^
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February 17th, 2015 at 9:11 PM ^
I want them to stay in the city, maybe build a stadium next to the new Red Wings arena. MLS has been very adamant that expansion teams must have a soccer-specific stadium in an urban downtown core. If DCFC moves to Hamtramck, hopefully Duggan goes forward with his plan to bring a USL team to Detroit. It's the first step towards landing an MLS franchise.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:06 PM ^
Unless they can draw 10K+ people and get games on TV there is no way they could afford to build something downtown at this stage. 10 years ago maybe but downtown land prices are skyrocketing. Hamtramck is practically a Detroit neighborhood anyways and if the team continues to grow there I would expect the next step to be to something bigger.
February 17th, 2015 at 7:11 PM ^
February 17th, 2015 at 7:32 PM ^
Yeah, it's googleable... the owners are: Sean Mann, Todd Kropp, Alex Wright, David Dwaihy, & Ben Steffans
February 17th, 2015 at 7:42 PM ^
February 17th, 2015 at 7:40 PM ^
Is there any interest from ownership (or I guess, for fans) in becoming a member in a pro league?
February 17th, 2015 at 8:37 PM ^
Yes, with the caveat that it be done sustainably and in a way that keeps the culture and the soul of the club and its supporters intact. The owners had a Q&A session a few weeks ago when they said that they'd "like to play other teams that have fans," but also that they want their kids growing up cheering for DCFC. That's a fine line to walk.
Anybody who wants to get the full DCFC experience: Come to Harry's Bar before the match, tell people it's your first time, join the march to the stadium. The atmosphere is great college student section with more flags, pyro and profanity and no TV timeouts.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:30 PM ^
Sounds fun, I'll have to make it down there sometime!
February 17th, 2015 at 9:20 PM ^
... just bought two season tickets + the scarfs. Such a deal.
I have seen what MLS has done in Houston and Columbus with the Dynamo and the Crew.
Have to figure out a way to tell MgoWife what we're doing on a few Friday and Saturday nights this Spring and Summer.
A full season for less than one Exhibition game with the Lions. Go Figure...
February 17th, 2015 at 9:32 PM ^
It's up there with the winged wheel and the old english D,
February 18th, 2015 at 10:03 AM ^
I live in downtown Detroit and went to one of the DCFC games last season against the Windsor Stars. While the game itself (a friendly) ended in a 0-0 draw, the fans were rabid. Quite a fun experience and I plan to attend some games this year. They play at Cass Tech.
February 18th, 2015 at 11:00 AM ^